We’re not sure how he arranged it, and I have a sneaking suspicion that a beefy guy with a wire in his ear is heading my way even now, but our buddy Vince Taliano, regional director of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club’s Potomac Region just returned from a Secret Service Training Academy in Maryland, where current and past presidential protective limousines are stored.

He related his visit–with photos, no less, in the club’s Caddie Chronicle, and we’re reprinting here with his permission. But not that of the protective detail, so I’ll see you in five to ten.

Living in proximity to the nation’s capital has its privileges. It is not all traffic jams and high cost of living in the Washington, DC area. This is the world’s most powerful city and there are reminders of that everywhere, even more so since 9/11. For me, the most recent reminder occurred a few weeks ago when Daniel Jobe invited me to accompany him and his friend Mark on a tour of the United States Secret Service facilities, which included viewing one of the Presidential Limousines. I was thrilled to attend because I know it is not an opportunity afforded to many.

As impressive as the Presidential Limousine looks in pictures, pictures do not do this car justice. There is nothing that compares to standing next to the car itself. I think it is safe to say that Daniel, Mark and I were in awe of the car.

The tour began with a morning visit to the Secret Service’s Training Academy in Suburban Maryland where cars taken out of service are housed and used for training. Only Daniel was able to participate in the first half of the tour, which included viewing the “older” limos and firearms training range.

There is no easy retirement for these Cadillacs as they are continuously put to the test in training exercises. And we are happy to report that they still pass with flying colors after years of dedicated service.

After completing the morning portion of the tour, Daniel met Mark and me for the afternoon tour of the Secret Service headquarters in Washington, DC. It began with viewing the Presidential Limousine and the other limousines that are currently in service. The new Presidential Limo was first unveiled at the 2005 Inauguration Parade.

Check out the HD whitewall runflats and oldskool 1990s Le Sabre door handles, the better for the protective detail to hold onto. There’s five inches of APW-stopping ballistic armor between their hands and the prez

It is based on the Cadillac DTS; although little of the original car remains. According to General Motors, it is handcrafted and dressed in a jet-black clearcoat finish. The vehicle is a considerably longer, wider and taller version of the production model. To maintain national security, the limousine is equipped with state-of-the-art protection and communication systems.The vehicle interior boasts seating with comfort and visibility for all occupants. A rear seat executive package features a concealed, foldaway desktop that can be deployed when conducting affairs of state. The rear seats have an adjustable reclining feature along with the adaptive seat system, which senses the position of the occupant in the seat and automatically adjusts the cushion for added comfort. Wood accents, rich blue leather and cloth complete the executive interior.

An embroidered presidential seal is positioned in the center of the rear seat back panel, as well as on each rear door trim panel. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors. The U.S. flag is placed on the right front fender, and the presidential standard is located on the left front fender when the president travels in the vehicle. Flush-mounted High Intensity Discharge (HID) spotlights illuminate the flags at night.

After viewing the limousines, we were escorted to various departments within the Secret Service headquarters to tour the state-of-the-art equipment and techniques that they use to fulfill the two major components of their mission: protection and criminal investigations. The Agents were patient with us as we asked a multitude of questions, like students on a field trip.

10 Responses to “In the line of fire: Behind the scenes with Dubya’s DTS”

I am looking for an update on the Good News Garage project car. Neither my husband nor myself have been able to find anything relating to the car , the auction, or the Good news Garage. Please post an update, we are eager to see how things are coming along.

Thanks so much David. My husband and I are really looking forward to the updates. We just know that you all will do a wonderful job and we think it is just great for you to be working like this with those nice people at the Good News Garage. We’ve donated two of our vehicles to them.

Having looked on the internet to get information on classic Cadillac’s (60′s era-limo), I am hoping this post will reach someone that can help me. I have a sister-in-law with a beautiful old cadillac limosine. They’ve had it for probably 20 years and it’s been tenderly loved and cared for. Don’t think it even has 20,000 miles on it. All original.
Someone offered to buy it recently she’s just not sure what it’s worth.
Surely, in it’s beautiful condition and low milage, it should demand a fairly handsome pricetag.
My immediate thoughts were for HOLLYWOOD! Does anyone have any thoughts on this…as to establishing a value and how to advertise. My sis in law doesn’t have a computer and I don’t know how much time I can devote to this for her.
Please pass along any suggestions.
Regards,
Joanne

Well, we’ve helped out a number of times finding cars for films and photoshoots, but what we most often hear is that Hollywood found the car via a club. Step one would be to join your local chapter of the Cadillac-La Salle Club, and get a nice big photo up on the club website.

But as far as I know, even more movie cars come from a handful of outfits that operate solely for that purpose. Some of those own their own, others do have databases of cars to which you can submit yours.

As for value, we’d need to know the model and year. If it’s Cadillac’s in-house Fleetwood limousine, they generally top out at about $15,000 from the 1960s, even for a very nice one. There are some exceptions to this, with coachbuilt cars, so let us know the details.

Thanks David for your response. I am glad to have your input. As it turned out, my sister in law spoke to the family jeweler, who happened to know the car. He in turn told a friend about it and the guy was in his glory to find the car. My sister-in-law asked for $12,000 as it sits and the fellow was thrilled with it. He wasn’t looking for a car, but appreciated the condition and care that had been given (and his garage could accomodate it.) He lives in the next town and is thrilled with his new purchase. Ended up being his 75th birthday present from his wife. So all’s well and my sis in law is so happy that someone else will maintain the car the way her husband had.
Thanks for your input. We know that what she rec’d might have been a couple of dollars shy of the value, but it certainly was an easy transaction and that in itself was worth the difference.
Kindest Regards,
Joanne

Hi:
Do you have any more photos of the Presidential Limousines. These are impressive automobiles. I would enjoy to see different views of these limousines in the article or others since the 1930′s to present.

I work on Pennsylvania Ave between the Capitol & the White House. I see the motorcades very often & definetly know the difference between a presidential motorcade & the others. In fact, three past & present presidents have visted my building within the past year alone. Since Obama became prez & “The Beast” was unlveiled, I’ve only seen in it in service twice on the streets of DC. I realize it spends some time in transit around the world. However, out of about a dozen times, I’ve literally only seen it twice. Once during the Inauguration, the other when he was at the Wizards/Bulls game up the street. Even when he came to our building, he was in a DTS. I’ve seen him more in a Suburban than “The Beast”. What gives? Any insight?